Jane Fletcher 1847-1886

History of Jane Fletcher Reid

History filed by Grace Reid Russell

Information by a granddaughter, Grace R. Russell

Facts arranged by Nora Lund

My paternal grandmother, Jane Fletcher Reid was born 5 Aug. 1847 in Bride Kirk, Mary Port, Cumberlandshire, England. She was the 7th child born to Adam Fletcher and Ann Clarke. Those in the family older than she, were Catherine, Isaac, Adam-who died as child, Samuel, another Adam, then John, who died aschild. Those younger than Jane were Margaret and Mary Ann.

Jane would have been 5 or 6 years old in 1853 when her father, mother, and 6 brothers and sisters left their native England bound for America and new adventures. "We are not prepared to say if her parents were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or not, at that time, from the family group sheet at hand it would seem that they were and that they perhaps stopped off in Ohio for her father Adam, to get money to continue the journey to Utah. It was in Mt. Hope, Ohio, that Adam Fletcher met his death, on the 20th of July 1854, while doing his duty as a law enforcement officer. Jane was 7 years old at the time. This made a great responsibility on her mother and her older brothers and sisters.

It seems that her mother was determined to get her family on to Utah, so that the children could be reared among the L.D.S. people.

We next find the Fletcher family at Florence, Neb. ready to start the long trek across the plains in 1865. We don't know which of the 12 organized companies that the Fletcher family were assigned to. The captains of these companies were experienced men of the plains who had come from 'Utah to aid the 3,625 saint assembled in Florence during the months of June, July and Aug. on across the plains. There were 488 teamsters from Salt Lake to assist the inexperienced Saints in the long journey ahead. There was a Captain over each 100 wagons, over 50 wagons and over 10.

It so happened that one of these teamsters was young James Greig Reid who had volunteered his services to go east to the Missouri River to help the Saints on to Utah.

The long tiresome journey was made more interesting for 16 year old Jane by the attention she received from 23 year old Jim Reid as they traveled along. When their company reached Salt Lake City it was a happy day for the Fletcher family. It seemed they made their home in the 16th "Ward, the same Ward that James’s parents, George and Euphemia Reid lived. It was out in the North West part of the City where the Fair grounds are today.

The friendship of Jane and James ripened into love and they were married and sealed for time and all eternity May 7th 1864 in the Salt Lake Endowment House.

Jane knew the joy of motherhood when she gave birth to her first child Annie Clarke Reid on 2nd Feb. 1865. Next was George Fletcher-b-10 Dec.1866, followed by James Blakey (my father) 7 Jan. 1868, then Jane Elizabeth b-19 March 1871, Euphemia-b-34 Jan. 1873, Catherine-b-22 May 1875, but died 8. July 1875. Adam -b-30 Hay 1876, Samuel-b-17 May 1879. Grace-b-7 Jan. 1882-died 17 April 1882, John Blackie-b-13 May 1883. Her 11th child was Helen-b-2 March 1886-died 17 Mar. 1886.

Jane Reid was 38 years old at the time she gave birth to this little babe. She died on the 13th of March 1886. The baby died 3 days later. It seemed that the young father could not be reconciled to the passing of his wife. He Just couldn’t see how she could be needed worse somewhere else, when he and his family needed her so badly. It seemed to change his whole out look on life.

My father, James Blakey Reid, who was grandmother’s 3 child never did talk much about his family, consequently, I just can’t tell too much about my grandmother. Father was a young man of 18 years when his mother died. He has always told us that he and his father did not get along very good together, so he left home at an early age. In our home my father was always so kind and loveable, with a keen sense of humor, that I just can’t image him not getting along with everyone. But that is what he would tell us, that when ever he would go home to see his mother he and his father would have an arguement (sic).

I wish I could tell more about my grandmother Reid. I have heard that she was a nice looking woman, with beautiful blue eyes. I remember well all of her children but the oldest, Annie, who lived in California most of the time.

Even though she died long before I was born, I will always be greatful (sic) to her for the wonderful father she raised for me.